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Flathead River at Columbia Falls, MT (CFMM8)

Data Type




Inundation Levels
NAVD88 Stage

Record Crest: 25.58 ft
3,004.523.0
3,003.722.2
Major Flooding Begins

3,002.521.0
3,001.520.0
3,000.519.0
Moderate Flooding Begins

2,999.518.0
2,998.517.0
2,997.516.0
2,996.515.0
2,996.014.5
2,995.514.0
2,995.013.5
Minor Flooding Begins

2,994.513.0
Near Flooding Begins

2,994.012.5
2,993.512.0
Below Flooding Begins

* = Extended rating
Weather Forecast Office Missoula, MT Northwest River Forecast Center
Hydrograph River at a Glance Download Inundation
Mapping
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Click on mapped inundation to see water depth values for that location, or hold shift and drag to zoom to area.

Current Stage:
7.3 ft at 04/18/2024 11:45:00 UTC
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Inundation Legend
Depth in feet
USGS Gauge Location Gauge Location
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Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Gauge Information Collapse

Map Overlays
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 22
Moderate Flood Stage: 18
Flood Stage: 13
Action Stage: 12.5
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 25.58 ft on 06/09/1964
(2) 22.70 ft on 06/01/1894
(3) 19.08 ft on 05/23/1948
(4) 18.71 ft on 05/27/1928
(5) 17.63 ft on 06/16/1933
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 14.86 ft on 06/15/2022
(2) 12.90 ft on 06/05/2021
(3) 13.87 ft on 06/01/2020
(4) 13.88 ft on 05/09/2018
(5) 13.43 ft on 06/01/2017
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 0.08 ft on 12/08/1929
(2) 0.70 ft on 03/02/1927

Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.

Site-specific information:

This map was created in 2018 to best represent conditions at the time of development. This map is a reflection of inundated areas caused by Flathead River flooding. However, some inundated areas disconnected from the Flathead River are included. These are low-lying areas where groundwater has likely caused ponding. An investigation into the surface water exchange between these areas and the Flathead River (culverts, drains, gates, etc) was beyond the scope of this project. Historical accounts of flooding were used to validate/modify mapped flood extents. This leads to the more accurate depiction of predicted flooding, but can result in unusually shaped flood boundaries in places. Floods are dynamic and flood waters could end up in areas not depicted on the map.

Except for US Highway 2 in Columbia Falls, MT Highway 35 and Old Steel Bridges in Evergreen the bridge surfaces are displayed as inundated regardless of the actual water-surface elevation in relation to the lowest structural chord of the bridge or the bridge deck. The hydraulic models indicate that US Highway 2 in Columbia Falls, MT Highway 35 and Old Steel Bridge bridges are not overtopped at gage heights included in this FIM, though the bridge approaches could be inundated.

This map is for planning and awareness purposes only and is not the regulatory Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). To check a property's flood designation, contact the local floodplain administrator or go to fema.gov.
Flood Impacts Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
22 Flooding in Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Creston and Foy's Bend causing isolation of many homes within the valley. Many secondary roads are impassable and closures of Highway 93 are expected.
18 Flooding of low lying areas in Columbia Falls including many buildings and secondary roads. There is also possible flooding along Highway 93 between Kalispell and Sommers.
16.1 A trailer and RV park located just north of Highway 35 in Evergreen may be flooded.
16 Low lying buildings and roads in the vicinity of Kalispell, Creston, Columbia Falls and Foy's Bend begin flooding.
14 Flooding of farmers crops adjacent to the Flathead River is likely. Sections of the Steel Bridge Road become inundated with water and impassable.
13 Farmers crops adjacent to the Flathead River are inundated with water.
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Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.